Nam Kwan (1911–1990)
What is Nam Kwan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 369 auction results for Nam Kwan at 11 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,057 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,513–$5,929, n=12). The auction record is $1,813,090 for Collapsed Ruins (2013, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collapsed Ruins, 1983 | Oil on canvas | $1,813,090 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 2 | TRÈS ANCIEN (2), 1965 | Oil on canvas | $318,961 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 3 | Inner Reflection, 1981 | Oil paint | $314,585 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 4 | Fâete Orientale (A Festive Day), 1963 | Oil paint | $175,413 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 5 | COMPOSITION CALLIGRAPHIQUE (2), 1968 | Oil and collage on canvas | $136,997 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 6 | ANCIENT RELICS, 1964 | Oil paint | $128,322 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 7 | Monument for a Friend, 1975 | Oil paint | $90,000 | Christie's | Sep 2017 |
| 8 | Untitled, 1980 | Oil on canvas | $43,539 | K-Auction | Mar 2024 |
| 9 | Old Form, 1976 | Oil on canvas | $38,452 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 10 | Blue Reflection, 1972 | Oil on canvas | $33,755 | K-Auction | Jul 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $8,605 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $995 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $156,205 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $7,025 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $995 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 369 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
Nam Kwan is a Korean artist with 429 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $5,608. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Nam Kwan sold in 2026 for $16,356, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Nam Kwan work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Nam Kwan free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Nam Kwan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nam Kwan on OpeningBid →What is a Nam Kwan work worth?
Across 368 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nam Kwan work is $5,608.
The median Nam Kwan painting sells for $10,792 across 234 lots.
The median Nam Kwan work on paper sells for $812 across 57 lots.
The median Nam Kwan print sells for $304 across 31 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Nam Kwan paintings typically sell for $6,910–$23,250 (the middle half of 153 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Nam Kwan work on papers typically sell for $611–$1,063 (the middle half of 47 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 39 | $304†‡ | $2,636‡ | 79.5% | 2025-01-23 |
| Paintings | 253 | $10,792†‡ | $1.8M | 92.5% | 2026-05-27 |
| Works on Paper | 69 | $812†‡ | $60,133‡ | 82.6% | 2026-05-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $100,586†‡ | $1.8M | — | 2023-07-13 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Nam Kwan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (39 lots) median $304 with 79.5% sell-through. Paintings (253 lots) median $10,792, record $1,813,090. A typical Nam Kwan painting sells for around 36× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 19 lots) the median is $100,586.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $299–$399†‡ | $315†‡ | $2,636‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $243–$428†‡ | $288†‡ | $711 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $1,790–$3,857†‡ | $2,428†‡ | $16,167‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 153 | $6,910–$23,250†‡ | $11,083†‡ | $318,961 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $47,068–$99,057†‡ | $63,008†‡ | $1.8M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 47 | $611–$1,063†‡ | $758†‡ | $5,418‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $2,650–$7,808†‡ | $4,044†‡ | $11,557† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2013 | $1.8M |
| Paintings | 2015 | $318,961 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $60,133‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $11,557† |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $2,636‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $711 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nam Kwan worth?
Across 368 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nam Kwan work is $5,608. The median Nam Kwan painting sells for $10,792 across 234 lots. The median Nam Kwan work on paper sells for $812 across 57 lots. The median Nam Kwan print sells for $304 across 31 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Nam Kwan paintings typically sell for $6,910–$23,250 (the middle half of 153 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Nam Kwan work on papers typically sell for $611–$1,063 (the middle half of 47 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Nam Kwan painting?
Based on 234 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam Kwan painting is $10,792. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam Kwan's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam Kwan painting is $1,813,090.
What is the average price of a Nam Kwan work on paper?
Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam Kwan work on paper is $812. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam Kwan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam Kwan work on paper is $60,133. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Nam Kwan print?
Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam Kwan print is $304. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam Kwan's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam Kwan print is $2,636. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Nam Kwan painting?
Based on 153 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nam Kwan painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,083, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a small Nam Kwan work on paper?
Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Nam Kwan work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $758, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam Kwan's auction record?
Nam Kwan's auction record is $1,813,090, set in 2013.
See the full Nam Kwan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nam Kwan on OpeningBid →